Change of plea hearing set for Colts owner Irsay - NBC Sports

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) A change of plea hearing has been set for Tuesday for Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who faces drug-related charges following a March traffic stop.

Hamilton County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Andre Miksha said Friday that a not guilty plea had previously been entered on behalf of the 55-year-old Colts owner.

Miksha said in an email he cannot "provide any details of - or even verify the existence of - an agreement unless and until one" is filed Tuesday with Hamilton Superior Court or at a later date. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with Irsay's attorney, Jim Voyles.

Irsay was arrested March 16 near his suburban Indianapolis home after he was spotted driving slowly, stopping in the roadway and failing to use a turn signal. Officers said he had trouble reciting the alphabet and failed field sobriety tests.

A police report said an officer believed Irsay to be intoxicated, but not on alcohol. Various prescription drugs were found in his vehicle, along with more than $29,000 in cash.

Irsay was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving with a Schedule I or II controlled substance in his body. His trial had been scheduled for Thursday, but he requested and received a continuance.

Less than 48 hours after his March arrest, the Colts said Irsay had entered a treatment facility. He resumed his duties with the Colts at the NFL draft in early May.

Irsay acknowledged in 2002 he had become dependent on painkillers after several years of orthopedic operations. He said then that he had overcome the problem.

Irsay became the Colts owner in 1997 after the death of his father, Robert Irsay, and a lengthy legal battle with his father's second wife.